Posts in category The Bay Area


The story of the poppies, in Provence and elsewhere
DanvilleLourmarin

The story of the poppies, in Provence and elsewhere

It’s May and the poppies are blooming in Provence. Their tiny black faces almost obscured by their bright red hats, delicate, vibrant, petals wafting in the breeze. Last year I was in Lourmarin admiring them. This year I should have …

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Danville's 4th of July Parade, Danville, California, USA
California & USADanville

Celebrating July 4th 2015

Every year on July 4th, thousands of Americans across this great continent adorn their homes in the stars and stripes, don their red, white and blue, attend local parades, and light up their BBQ’s to celebrate America’s independence from us, the …

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Christmas shopping at Prescence gift shop in Danville
California & USADanvilleExploreThe Bay Area

Christmas Shopping in Danville

There is something special about this time of year, a mystical wonder in the air, the anticipation of the season. Daylight fades much earlier, evenings are longer, there is a distinct chill at night and early mornings are fresh and …

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Hartz Avenue, Danville, California, USA
California & USADanvilleExploreStories of LifeThe Bay Area

Danville, the place we call home

Recently I have been busy networking with other writers, talking mostly about Provence. When the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce tweeted about me last week they referred to Shutters and Sunflowers as ‘a fun Franco British blog with a US flavor’. …

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DanvilleStories of Life

Recipes to warm your heart and soul

Spoiled as we are by the continuing warm weather in Northern California, there are still signs everywhere that Autumn has danced her way back into our lives. Leaves carpeting the ground, acorns scattered below the trees and a distinct chill …

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In Market Hall, Rockridge, Gourmet Grocery store, Oakland, California
California & USAExploreStories of LifeThe Bay Area

A visit to Market Hall in Rockridge, expect the unexpected!

I have found in life that things often happen when you least expect them. Yesterday morning I stopped in a wonderful store, I am seldom in the neighborhood to visit, Market Hall in Rockridge, (just along College Avenue from Berkeley) As soon …

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California & USAExploreThe Bay Area

Muir Woods ~The best things in life are all around us

Meandering amongst the trees, staring up in wonder at the daylight peeking through the branches, rays of sunshine streaming down the towering trunks of the redwood trees in the Muir Woods 10 minutes drive north of San Francisco, one can …

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California & USAThe Bay Area

Ice hockey: The San Jose Sharks v The Toronto Maple Leafs!

I have to admit I know virtually nothing about ice hockey. I grew up watching rugby, occasionally soccer, Wimbledon tennis and of course always Formula 1 racing!! I played field hockey in high school but no one played ice hockey neither …

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California & USAExploreSan FranciscoThe Bay Area

San Francisco’s Muir Woods

12 miles north of San Francisco lies a breathtaking cathedral of redwood trees, the Muir Woods, named after John Muir, the Scottish born Naturalist. Muir dedicated much of his life to the preservation of such stunning wilderness spots. In Muir’s own words; “Everybody …

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